The Hookah Connection
Westmoreland's Social Smoke
by Karen Fetter
Looking for something a little exotic to do after a movie or a date, for a new
and different place to go and relax with friends? The answer is the Hookah
Connection, located in the Annex behind Westmoreland Mall. In Greensburg
and Westmoreland County, The Hookah Connection is your place to go for a social
smoke. It's quite an experience.
The Hookah Connection offers a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and a full
menu of flavored tobacco. What makes the Hookah Connection unique is that its
customers can smoke flavored tobacco with hookahs while enjoying a social
atmosphere. The high-class setting makes it the perfect option for
something new.
What is a hookah? A hookah is a glass water pipe used to smoke flavored
tobacco. It is different than other forms of smoking because heated coals
evaporate the tobacco rather than burning it. The tobacco, known as shisha,
can be purchased at the Hookah Connection and comes in a wide variety of
flavors.
The Social Smoke
"This may seem like a new trend but it has been around for hundreds of
years," said manager Jason McIlnay. "I first heard about it when I was in
college at Pitt at Greensburg. Now it is becoming more popular because of
the social factor."
The social factor Jason refers to is the atmosphere of friends coming
together to relax and appreciate conversation and pleasant company while
enjoying the slightly exotic experience of smoking flavored tobacco.
Hookah smoking is a rich tradition that originally began in the northwest
provinces of India. Hookah is meant for relaxation and to enjoy the good
company of others. That is one of the reasons why owners Jim & Dianne Fretz decided to open the Hookah Connection in March 2011.
"There really isn't any place like this around here," said Jason. "Now
it's becoming even more popular, especially for people in their early 20s."
Jason has worked for the last three years at Tobacco Village, while Jim &
Dianne have owned the store for the last four years. Jim
saw the market opening up for a local Hookah bar, and they themselves enjoy
smoking and blending their own shishas.
Hookahs are available for one, two, three, or four people and there are party
rooms that can be reserved for more. Prices start at $8.00 per person and
there are 50 flavors of shisha from which to choose.
Experiencing the Hookah Connection
Upon
arriving at the Hookah Connection, you rent a hookah and purchase the shisha of
your choice. Take a seat in the stylish and comfortable lounge and you
will be served the hookah, ready to smoke. One bowl of tobacco generally
lasts 45 minutes and can be used for up to four people. Also sold at the
Hookah Connection are hot and cold beverages and snacks. In addition,
people can purchase their own hookah, shisha, and accessories to take home if
they choose.
Hookahs,
including hoses and mouthpieces, are cleaned after each use. Cleanliness is an important part of the standards set by the
Hookah Connection. Every part of the hookah is washed and left to dry.
The floors of the lounge are cleaned on a daily basis.
Reusable personal hoses can be purchased for $4.00 so customers can take it
home, wash it out, and bring it back on their next visit.
An average party is four to six. Groups can be as many as 12.
Although, some regular customers stop by themselves and enjoy the experience
alone or meet with new people. A party room is $25.00 per person for
a two-hour reservation, $35.00 per person for a three-hour reservation with a
six person minimum and a 12 person maximum. It is important to make the
reservation in advance to ensure you have the appropriate space. Party
rooms offer unlimited smoking in the allotted time.
Hookah Etiquette
The Hookah Connection does not allow cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking.
The experience is solely about hookah smoking, which helps maintain a clean
and pleasant environment (you may be surprised at the agreeable scent of
flavored tobacco smoked from a hookah). While Hookah smoking is not safer
than other kinds of smoking, there does tend to be less nicotine. What
mainly makes hookah smoking stand out is the social experience.
There are a number of social standards set by Hookah Connection so it remains
a place of class. Attire should be dressy and no hats are
allowed. The atmosphere is quiet and respectful of others, which is
why being at a hookah lounge is enjoyable. Therefore most people follow
the etiquette rules of hookah such as not being loud or causing a commotion,
taking photographs, or being competitive. A full list of such standards
can be found on the Hookah Connection
Facebook page under Discussions.
In addition to an enjoyable, classy atmosphere comes the experience of
tasting the flavored tobaccos. "The flavored tobaccos are delicious and the
blends are outstanding," said Jason.
An Enticing Array of Flavored Tobaccos
Regular shisha flavors include: Blueberry, Cappuccino, Cocktail,
Coconut, Cola, Double Apple, Grape Mint, Jasmine, Lemon Mint, Melon, Peach,
Pomegranate, Rose, Sex On The Beach, and Watermelon.
Premium shisha flavors include: Absolute Zero, Adios M@#%+&!,
Arabian Nights, Baja Blue, Blueberry Splash, Blue Mist, Cactus Breeze, Citrus
Mist, Code 69, Dragons Breath, 4play, French Vanilla, Incredible Hulk, Grape
Chill, Lemon Chill, Melon Blue, Lemon Tea, Passion Fruit Mojito, Pink, Pink
Lemonade, Pirates Cave, Pomberry, Rainbow Burst, Safari Melon Dew, Sex Panther,
Strawberry Lemonade, Sweet Red Melon, Tigers Blood, Triple Apple, Twisted,
Voltage, White Peach, Winterfresh, and Wildberry Chill.
Experience the Shisha Buffet
If
you smoke all 50 flavors on the menu then you can get your name on the Hookah
Connection Wall of Fame. One way to experience an engaging variety
of flavors is to participate in a Shisha Buffet. The buffet will be
available weekly for two hours. Each person will get six flavors of shisha
that include four premium and two basic. The cost is $15.00 in advance and
$20.00 at the door and includes a personal reusable hose. Please
call in advance for dates and specific shisha flavors offered.
There is also a monthly raffle drawing where the winner receives a free
hookah. The drawing takes place the last Saturday of the month at
midnight. You do not need to be present to win.
The Hookah Connection has a wide service area that includes Murrysville,
Monroeville, Penn Trafford, New Stanton, Greensburg, Uniontown, Connellsville,
Johnstown, Indiana, Blairsville, Latrobe, Ligonier, and even as far as Somerset.
The Hookah Connection on Facebook and the Web
One of the best places to learn more about the Hookah Connection in on
Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hookah-Connection/186895804669937
You can learn about people's experiences and see what new flavors are
available. You could also discover other friends that have
experienced hookah and you could join them for a party.
You can learn about people's experiences and see what new flavors are
available. You could also discover other friends that have
experienced hookah and you could join them for a party.
You will find The Hookah Connection on the web at
www.hookah-connection.com. For more information
call 724-837-3464.
Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to midnight,
Saturday 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., Saturday 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and Sunday
4:00 p.m. to midnight.
The Hookah-Connection
Westmoreland Mall Annex
5274 Rt. 30, Suite 18B
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-837-3464
www.hookah-connection.com
SmokeNow@Hookah-Connection.com
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